Bicycle control cable

ABSTRACT

A bicycle control cable is provided with a central wire and a radial protrusion. The central wire includes at least one metallic strand defining a radially outermost surface of the central wire. The radial protrusion extends along the radially outermost surface in a direction intersecting with a center longitudinal axis of the central wire. The radial protrusion reduces a sliding resistance of the central wire. The central wire and the radial protrusion are configured and arranged to slidably move in an axial direction with respect to the center longitudinal axis of the central wire within an outer case to operate a bicycle component.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a bicycle control cable. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to an inner wire of abicycle control cable such as a Bowden cable.

2. Background Information

Bicycles often have components that are manually operated by a bicyclecontrol cable (e.g., a brake cable and a gear shift cable). Inparticular, the bicycle control cable interconnects a “manually operatedpart” of bicycle to a “cable operated part” of bicycle. Examples of“manually operated parts” include brake levers and gear shifters.Examples of “cable operated parts” include brake devices and the gearchanging devices. Typically, conventional bicycle control cables have,for example, a tubular outer case and an inner wire that can be insertedinto and passed through the outer case. This type of bicycle controlcable is often called a Bowden type of bicycle control cable. The outercase of a typical Bowden cable has a synthetic resin liner against whichthe outside surface of the inner wire slides, a flat steel wire woundhelically onto the outside circumference of the liner, and a syntheticresin jacket that covers the outside circumference of the flat steelwire. The inner wire of a typical Bowden cable is made of intertwinedsteel wire. The inner wire protrudes beyond both ends of the outer caseand each end of the inner wire is connected to either a manuallyoperated part or a cable-operated part. In some cases, one or each endof the inner wire has an anchor part for attachment to a brake lever, agear shifter, etc. The anchor part is often fixed to the tip end of theinner wire by crimping or other suitable fastening method. The outerdiameter of the inner wire needs to be sufficiently small relative to aninternal diameter of the outer case for the inner wire to slide withinthe outer case. To aid in the sliding of the inner wire within the outercase, a lubricant is sometimes provided between the inner wire and theouter case. However, this lubricant becomes contaminated over time, andthus, regular maintenance is required for smooth operation of thebicycle control cable.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved bicyclecontrol cable. This invention addresses this need in the art as well asother needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure.

SUMMARY

One aspect presented in the present disclosure is to provide a bicyclecontrol cable that has an improved sliding efficiency of an inner wire.

In view of the state of the known technology, a bicycle control cable isprovided that comprises a central wire and a radial protrusion. Thecentral wire includes at least one metallic strand defining a radiallyoutermost surface of the central wire. The radial protrusion extendsalong the radially outer most surface in a direction intersecting with acenter longitudinal axis of the central wire. The radial protrusionreduces a sliding resistance of the central wire. The central wire andthe radial protrusion are configured and arranged to slidably move in anaxial direction with respect to the center longitudinal axis of thecentral wire within an outer case to operate a bicycle component.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thedisclosed bicycle control cables will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following detailed description, which, taken inconjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses several embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a bicycle equippedwith several bicycle control cables in accordance with illustrativeembodiments;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the bicycle control cablesillustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the bicyclecontrol cable illustrated in FIG. 2 with portions removed for purposesof illustration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the innerwire of the bicycle control cable illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of the bicycle control cableillustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 as seen along section line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a bicycle control cable illustratedin accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the bicyclecontrol cable illustrated in FIG. 6 with portions removed for purposesof illustration;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the innerwire of the bicycle control cable illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross sectional view of the bicycle control cableillustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 as seen along section line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a transverse cross sectional view of a bicycle control cablein accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a transverse cross sectional view of a bicycle control cablein accordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a transverse cross sectional view of a bicycle control cablein accordance with a fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a transverse cross sectional view of a bicycle control cablein accordance with a sixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bicycle 10 is illustrated that isequipped with several bicycle control cables 12, 14, 16 and 18 inaccordance with illustrative embodiments as explained below. The bicyclecontrol cable 12 is operatively connected between a front brake leverand a front brake caliper. The bicycle control cable 14 is operativelyconnected between a rear brake lever and a rear brake caliper. Thebicycle control cable 16 is operatively connected between a frontshifter and a front derailleur. The bicycle control cable 18 isoperatively connected between a rear shifter and a rear derailleur. Thebicycle control cables 12, 14, 16 and 18 are mounted to the bicycle 10via a plurality of cable guides or stops 20.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the bicycle control cable 12 will bediscussed in more detail. The bicycle control cable 12 basically,includes a central wire 22 and a radial protrusion 24. Preferably, asshown, the radial protrusion 24 and the central wire 22 are attached toeach other by thermal melting. In this way, the radial protrusion 24does not move relative to the central wire 22. The central wire 22 andthe radial protrusion 24 form an inner wire. In the case of the bicyclecontrol cable 12, an outer case 26 is provided over a majority of thecentral wire 22 and the radial protrusion 24. The inner wire (i.e., thecentral wire 22 and the radial protrusion 24) slides within the outercase 26. In other words, the central wire 22 and the radial protrusion24 are configured and arranged to slidably move together in an axialdirection with respect to a center longitudinal axis A of the centralwire 22 within the outer case 26 to operate a bicycle component (e.g.,the front derailleur in FIG. 1). The ends of the inner wire (i.e., thecentral wire 22 and the radial protrusion 24) protrude beyond both endsof the outer case 26. One end of the central wire 22 is connected to thebrake lever (i.e., a manually operated part), while the other end of thecentral wire 22 is connected to the brake caliper (i.e., acable-operated part).

The outer case 26 can be any type of outer case that can be used toslidably support the inner wire (i.e., the central wire 22 and theradial protrusion 24). For example, the outer case 26 preferablyincludes a synthetic resin liner, a flat steel wire wound helically ontoan outside circumference of the synthetic resin liner, and a syntheticresin jacket that covers an outside circumference of the flat steelwire. For the sake of illustration, the synthetic resin liner, the flatsteel wire and the synthetic resin jacket are illustrated as a solidsynthetic resin tube in FIG. 5. The outer case 26 can be a continuoustube that surrounds one portion of an axial length of the central wire22 and the radial protrusion 24.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the first illustrated embodiment, thecentral wire 22 includes a center metallic strand 30, a plurality ofmiddle metallic strands 32 and a plurality of outer metallic strands 34.The metallic strands 30, 32 and 34 are helically wound to form a wirewith a circular cross section. In the first illustrated embodiment, thecentral wire 22 has an outermost diameter of about 1.1 millimeters.Alternatively, the central wire 22 can be a single metallic strand. Inthe first illustrated embodiment, the outer metallic strands 34 define aradially outermost surface 22 a of the central wire 22. Thus, in thefirst illustrated embodiment, the central wire 22 is made of helicallywound steel wire strands.

As best seen in FIG. 2, in the first illustrated embodiment, the radialprotrusion 24 extends along the radially outermost surface 22 a in adirection intersecting with a center longitudinal axis A of the centralwire 22. As a result, the radial protrusion 24 spaces the radiallyoutermost surface 22 a of the central wire 22 from an innermost surfaceof the outer case 26. In this way, the radial protrusion 24 reduces asliding resistance of the central wire 22 within the outer case 26. Inother words, by providing the radial protrusion 24 on the radiallyoutermost surface 22 a of the central wire 22, less contact occursbetween the innermost surface of the outer case 26 and the inner wire(i.e., the central wire 22 and the radial protrusion 24).

Preferably, as best seen in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the first illustratedembodiment, the radial protrusion 24 includes at least one resin stringthat is spirally wound around the radially outermost surface 22 a of thecentral wire 22. In the first illustrated embodiment, the string formingthe radial protrusion 24 has a circular cross section with a diameter ofabout 80 micrometers as compared to the diameter of the central wire 22which is about 1.1 millimeters. As best seen in FIG. 5, the radialprotrusion 24 (the at least one resin string) has a diameter that issmaller than the diameters of each of the metallic strands 30, 32 and 34of the central wire 22.

While the radial protrusion 24 is illustrated as a single resin string,the radial protrusion 24 can have other configurations. For example, theradial protrusion 24 can be made of a plurality of helically wound resinstrings. As seen in FIG. 4, the radial protrusion 24 (the at least oneresin string) has a pitch P1 that is less than or equal to 1 millimeter.Preferably, the pitch P1 of the radial protrusion 24 (the at least oneresin string) is less than or equal to 500 micrometers, and morepreferably about 150 micrometers as illustrated.

Preferably, the radial protrusion 24 is made of a material that has alower coefficient of friction than the material of the central wire 22to reduce sliding resistance of the central wire 22 within the outercase 26. In the first illustrated embodiment, the radial protrusion 24(the at least one resin string) is preferably made of either afluorocarbon polymer or an olefin polymer. Alternatively, the radialprotrusion 24 (the at least one resin string) is preferably made ofpolyethylene terephthalate (PET). If the radial protrusion 24 is made ofa fluorocarbon polymer, then the fluorocarbon polymer is preferablyselected from a group consisting of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA),fluoroethylene-propylene (FEP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Ifthe radial protrusion 24 is made of an olefin polymer, then the olefinpolymeris preferably selected from a group consisting of polyethylene(PE) and polyacetal (POM).

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bicycle control cables 14, 16 and18 are identical as the bicycle control cable 12, as discussed, exceptfor the length of the cables, the diameters of the inner wire and theouter case and the number of pieces of the outer case. In others words,the bicycle control cables 14, 16 and 18 are adapted to the cabling pathon the bicycle 10 and the manually operated part and the cable-operatedpart that are connected to the ends of the inner wire (the central wireand the radial protrusion). Thus, the bicycle control cables 14, 16 and18 will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. Depending onthe cabling path of the bicycle control cables 12, 14, 16 and 18 on thebicycle 10 and the bicycle components being attached thereto, one end oreach end of the inner wire (the central wire and the radial protrusion)of the bicycle control cables 12, 14, 16 and 18 can be provided with ananchor part or nipple 40 such as shown in FIG. 2. The anchor part 40 canbe fixed to the tip end of the inner wire (i.e. the central wire and theradial protrusion) by crimping or other suitable fastening method. Alsoone end or each end of the outer case of the bicycle control cables 12,14, 16 and 18 can be provided with a cap 42 for engaging one of thestops 20 or for engaging the bicycle component being attached thereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 9, a bicycle control cable 112 will now beexplained in accordance with a second embodiment. The bicycle controlcable 112 basically, includes a central wire 122 and a radial protrusion124. Preferably, as shown, the radial protrusion 124 and the centralwire 122 are attached to each other by thermal melting. In this way, theradial protrusion 124 does not move relative to the central wire 122.The central wire 122 and the radial protrusion 124 form an inner wire.An outer case 126 is provided over a majority of the central wire 122and the radial protrusion 124. The bicycle control cables 12 and 112 areidentical except that the radial protrusions 24 and 124 are differentand one of the outer metallic strands of the central wire 122 has beeneliminated in the bicycle control cable 112. In view of the similaritybetween the first and second embodiments, the description of the outercase 126, which is identical to the outer case 26, has been omitted forthe sake of brevity.

The inner wire (i.e., the central wire 122 and the radial protrusion124) slides within the outer case 126. The ends of the inner wire (i.e.,the central wire 122 and the radial protrusion 124) protrude beyond bothends of the outer case 126. One end of the central wire 122 is connectedto a manually operated part, while the other end of the central wire 122is connected to a cable-operated part.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, in the second illustrated embodiment, thecentral wire 122 includes a center metallic strand 130, a plurality ofmiddle metallic strands 132 and a plurality of outer metallic strands134. The metallic strands 130, 132 and 134 are helically wound to form awire with a circular cross section. In the second illustratedembodiment, the central wire 122 has an outermost diameter of about 1.1millimeters. Alternatively, the central wire 122 can be a singlemetallic strand. In the second illustrated embodiment, the outermetallic strands 134 define a radially outermost surface 122 a of thecentral wire 122. Thus, like the first embodiment, the central wire 122of the second embodiment is made of helically wound steel wire strands.

Preferably, in the second illustrated embodiment, the radial protrusion124 includes at least one resin string that is spirally wound around theradially outermost surface 122 a of the central wire 122. The stringforming the radial protrusion 124 has a circular cross section with adiameter of about 500 micrometers, before the radial protrusion 124 isspirally wound around the radially outermost surface 122 a of thecentral wire 122, as compared to the outermost diameter of the centralwire 122 which is about 1.1 millimeters. As best seen in FIG. 5, theradial protrusion 124 (the at least one resin string) has a diameterthat is larger than the diameters of each of the metallic strands 130,132 and 134 of the central wire 122. While preferably all of themetallic strands 130, 132 and 134 are about the same size, the metallicstrands 130, 132 and 134 can have different sizes. For example, some ofthe metallic strands 130, 132 and 134 are equal to or smaller than thediameter of the radial protrusion 124 (the at least one resin string)and the one or more of the metallic strands 130 and 132 is larger thanthe diameter of the radial protrusion 124 (the at least one resinstring).

While the radial protrusion 124 is illustrated as a single resin string,the radial protrusion 124 can have other configurations, for example,the radial protrusion 124 can be made of a plurality of helically woundresin strings. Preferably, the radial protrusion 124 is a stretchedresin string manufactured through a stretching process so thatwear-proof property of the radial protrusion 124 is more improved.

Preferably, the radial protrusion 124 is made of a material that has alower coefficient of friction than the material of the central wire 122to reduce sliding resistance of the central wire 122 within the outercase 126. The radial protrusion 124 (the at least one resin string) ismade of either a fluorocarbon polymer or an olefin polymer.Alternatively, the radial protrusion 124 (the at least one resin string)is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). If the radial protrusion124 is made of a fluorocarbon polymer, then the fluorocarbon polymer ispreferably selected from a group consisting of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA),fluoroethylene-propylene (FEP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Ifthe radial protrusion 124 is made of an olefin polymer, then the olefinpolymeris preferably selected from a group consisting of polyethylene(PE) and polyacetal (POM).

Referring now to FIG. 10, a bicycle control cable 212 will now beexplained in accordance with a third embodiment. The bicycle controlcable 212 basically, includes a central wire 222 and a radial protrusion224. The central wire 222 and the radial protrusion 224 form an innerwire. The central wire 222 includes a center metallic strand 230, aplurality of middle metallic strands 232 and a plurality of outermetallic strands 234. An outer case 226 is provided over a majority ofthe central wire 222 and the radial protrusion 224. The bicycle controlcables 12 and 212 are identical except that the radial protrusions 24and 224 are different. In view of the similarity between the first andthird embodiments, the descriptions of the central wire 222 and theouter case 226, which are identical to the central wire 22 and the outercase 26 have been omitted for the sake of brevity.

Here, the radial protrusion 224 includes at least one resin string thatis spirally wound around the central wire 222. The radial protrusion 224is spirally wound around the central wire 222 in the same manner asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the first embodiment. Thus, the description ofthe spirally winding of the radial protrusion 24 applies to the spirallywinding of the radial protrusion 224. The radial protrusion 224 has anouter shell 224 a and an inner core 224 b. As seen in FIG. 10, the innercore 224 b is formed by at least one metallic wire. While the inner core224 b is illustrated as a single metallic wire, the inner core 224 b canhave other configurations. For example, the inner core 224 b can be madeof a plurality of helically wound metallic wires. The inner core 224 b(e.g., the metallic wire) is coated with a solid lubricant that formsthe outer shell 224 a. The string forming the radial protrusion 224 hasa circular cross section with a diameter of about 80 micrometers.

Here, the solid lubricant of the outer shell 224 a is preferably made ofeither a fluorocarbon polymer or an olefin polymer. Alternatively, theouter shell 224 a is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate(PET). If the solid lubricant of the outer shell 224 a is made of afluorocarbon polymer, then the fluorocarbon polymer is preferablyselected from a group consisting of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA),fluoroethylene-propylene (FEP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Ifthe solid lubricant of the outer shell 224 a is made of an olefinpolymer, then the olefin polymeris preferably selected from a groupconsisting of polyethylene (PE) and polyacetal (POM).

Referring now to FIG. 11, a bicycle control cable 312 will now beexplained in accordance with a fourth embodiment. The bicycle controlcable 312 basically, includes a central wire 322 and a radial protrusion324. The central wire 322 and the radial protrusion 324 form an innerwire. The central wire 322 includes a center metallic strand 330, aplurality of middle metallic strands 332 and a plurality of outermetallic strands 334. An outer case 326 is provided over a majority ofthe central wire 322 and the radial protrusion 324. The bicycle controlcables 112 and 312 are identical except that the radial protrusions 124and 324 are different. In view of the similarity between the second andfourth embodiments, the descriptions of the central wire 322 and theouter case 326, which are identical to the central wire 122 and theouter case 126 have been omitted for the sake of brevity.

Here, the radial protrusion 324 includes at least one resin string thatis spirally wound around the central wire 322. The radial protrusion 324is spirally wound around the central wire 322 in the same manner asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the second embodiment. Thus, the descriptionof the spirally winding of the radial protrusion 124 applies to thespirally winding of the radial protrusion 324. The radial protrusion 324has an outer shell 324 a and an inner core 324 b. As seen in FIG. 11,the inner core 324 b is formed by at least one metallic wire. While theinner core 324 b is illustrated as a single metallic wire, the innercore 324 b can have other configurations. For example, the inner core324 b can be made of a plurality of helically wound metallic wires. Theinner core 324 b (e.g., the metallic wire) is coated with a solidlubricant that forms the outer shell 324 a. The string forming theradial protrusion 324 has a circular cross section with a diameter ofabout 500 micrometers before the radial protrusion 324 is spirally woundaround the radially outermost surface 322 a of the central wire 322.

Here, the solid lubricant of the outer shell 324 a is preferably made ofeither a fluorocarbon polymer or an olefin polymer. Alternatively, theouter shell 324 a is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate(PET). If the solid lubricant of the outer shell 324 a is made of afluorocarbon polymer, then the fluorocarbon polymer is preferablyselected from a group consisting of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA),fluoroethylene-propylene (FEP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Ifthe solid lubricant of the outer shell 324 a is made of an olefinpolymer, then the olefin polymeris preferably selected from a groupconsisting of polyethylene (PE) and polyacetal (POM).

Referring now to FIG. 12, a bicycle control cable 412 will now beexplained in accordance with a fifth embodiment. The bicycle controlcable 412 basically, includes a central wire 422 and a radial protrusion424. The central wire 422 and the radial protrusion 424 form an innerwire. The central wire 422 includes a center metallic strand 430, aplurality of middle metallic strands 432 and a plurality of outermetallic strands 434. An outer case 426 is provided over a majority ofthe central wire 422 and the radial protrusion 424. The bicycle controlcable 412 is identical to the bicycle control cable 12, as describedabove, except that a coating of grease G is applied over the centralwire 422 and the radial protrusion 424 so that the grease G is providedin the pitches of the radial protrusion 424. Since the radial protrusion424 includes at least one string that is spirally wound around thecentral wire 422, the radially outermost surface of the central wire 422is exposed in areas between corresponding circumferential points of theradial protrusion 424 at each pitch of the radial protrusion 424. Thus,the grease G interpenetrates between the outer metallic strands 434 ofthe central wire 422, preferably up to between the middle metallicstrands 432 and the center metallic strand 430, through the exposedportion of the radially outermost surface of the central wire 422 sothat friction resistance between the metallic strands of the centralwire 422 can be reduced during operation of the bicycle control cable412. In this way, the exposed portion of the radially outermost surfaceof the central wire 422 between the windings of the radial protrusion424 is filled by the grease G so that sliding resistance between theouter case 426 and the central wire 422 with the radial protrusion 424can be reduced during operation of the bicycle control cable 412. Sincethe bicycle control cables 12 and 412 are identical, except for thecoating of grease G, the descriptions of the central wire 422, theradial protrusion 424 and the outer case 426 have been omitted for thesake of brevity.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a bicycle control cable 512 will now beexplained in accordance with a sixth embodiment. The bicycle controlcable 512 basically, includes a central wire 522 and a radial protrusion524. The central wire 522 and the radial protrusion 524 form an innerwire. The central wire 522 includes a center metallic strand 530, aplurality of middle metallic strands 532 and a plurality of outermetallic strands 534. An outer case 526 is provided over a majority ofthe central wire 522 and the radial protrusion 524. The bicycle controlcable 512 is identical to the bicycle control cable 112, as describedabove, except that a coating of grease G is applied over the centralwire 522 and the radial protrusion 524. Since the radial protrusion 524includes at least one string that is spirally wound around the centralwire 522, the radially outermost surface of the central wire 522 isexposed in areas between corresponding circumferential points of theradial protrusion 524 at each pitch of the radial protrusion 524. Thus,the grease G interpenetrates between the outer metallic strands 534 ofthe central wire 522, preferably up to between the middle metallicstrands 532 and the center metallic strand 530, through the exposedportion of the radially outermost surface of the central wire 522 sothat friction resistance between the metallic strands of the centralwire 522 can be reduced during operation of the bicycle control cable512. In this way, the exposed portion of the radially outermost surfaceof the central wire 522 between the windings of the radial protrusion524 is filled by the grease G so that sliding resistance between theouter case 526 and the central wire 522 with the radial protrusion 524can be reduced during operation of the bicycle control cable 512. Sincethe bicycle control cables 112 and 512 are identical, except for thecoating of grease G, the descriptions of the central wire 522, theradial protrusion 524 and the outer case 526 have been omitted for thesake of brevity.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired, except if specifically defined. Components that are showndirectly connected or contacting each other can have intermediatestructures disposed between them. The functions of one element can beperformed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of oneembodiment can be adopted in another embodiment.

It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particularembodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from theprior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should beconsidered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A bicycle control cable comprising: a central wire including at leastone metallic strand defining a radially outermost surface of the centralwire, and a radial protrusion extending along the radially outermostsurface in a direction intersecting with a center longitudinal axis ofthe central wire, the radial protrusion reducing a sliding resistance ofthe central wire, the central wire and the radial protrusion beingconfigured and arranged to slidably move in an axial direction withrespect to the center longitudinal axis of the central wire within anouter case to operate a bicycle component.
 2. The bicycle control cableaccording to claim 1, wherein the radial protrusion includes at leastone resin string that is spirally wound around the central wire.
 3. Thebicycle control cable according to claim 2, wherein the at least oneresin string has a pitch that is less than or equal to 1 millimeter. 4.The bicycle control cable according to claim 3, wherein the pitch of theat least one resin string is less than or equal to 500 micrometers. 5.The bicycle control cable according to claim 2, wherein the at east oneresin string is made of fluorocarbon polymer.
 6. The bicycle controlcable according to claim 5, wherein the fluorocarbon polymer is selectedfrom a group consisting of perfluoroalkoxy, fluoroethylene-propylene andpolytetraftuoroethylene.
 7. The bicycle control cable according to claim2, wherein the at least one resin string is made of an olefin polymer.8. The bicycle control cable according to claim 7, wherein the olefinpolymer is selected from a group consisting of polyethylene andpolyacetal.
 9. The bicycle control cable according to claim 2, whereinthe at least one resin string is made of polyethylene terephthalate. 10.The bicycle control cable according to claim 2, wherein the at least oneresin string has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the atleast one metallic strand.
 11. The bicycle control cable according toclaim 2, wherein the at least one resin string has a diameter that islarger than a diameter of the at least one metallic strand.
 12. Thebicycle control cable according to claim 1, wherein the radialprotrusion includes at least one metallic wire that is coated with solidlubricant and that is spirally wound around the central wire.
 13. Thebicycle control cable according to claim 12, wherein the at least oneresin string has a pitch that is less than or equal to 1 millimeter. 14.The bicycle control cable according to claim 13, wherein the pitch ofthe at least one resin string is less than or equal to 500 micrometers.15. The bicycle control cable according to claim 12, wherein the solidlubricant is made of fluorocarbon polymer.
 16. The bicycle control cableaccording to claim 15, wherein the fluorocarbon polymer is selected froma group consisting of perftuoroalkoxy, fluoroethylene-propylene andpolytetrafluoroethylene.
 17. The bicycle control cable according toclaim 12, wherein the solid lubricant is made of an olefin polymer. 18.The bicycle control cable according to claim 17, wherein the olefinpolymer is selected from a group consisting of polyethylene andpolyacetal.
 19. The bicycle control cable according to claim 12, whereinthe solid lubricant is made of polyethylene terephthalate.
 20. Thebicycle control cable according to claim 1, wherein grease is appliedover the radial protrusion and the central wire.
 21. The bicycle controlcable according to claim 1, further comprising an outer case surroundingat least a portion of an axial length of the central wire and the radialprotrusion spacing the radially outermost surface of the central wirefrom an innermost surface of the outer case.
 22. The bicycle controlcable according to claim 21, wherein the radial protrusion includes atleast one resin string that is spirally wound around the central wire.23. The bicycle control cable according to claim 22, wherein the atleast one resin string has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter ofthe at least one metallic strand.
 24. The bicycle control cableaccording to claim 22, wherein the at least one string has a diameterthat is larger than a diameter of the at least one metallic strand. 25.The bicycle control cable according to claim 1, wherein the radialprotrusion includes at least one string that is spirally wound aroundthe central wire, and the radially outermost surface of the central wireis exposed in areas between corresponding circumferential points of theradial protrusion at each pitch of the radial protrusion.
 26. Thebicycle control cable according to claim 25, wherein grease is appliedover the radial protrusion and the central wire.
 27. The bicycle controlcable according to claim 26, wherein the central wire includes aplurality of metallic strands, and the grease interpenetrates betweenthe metallic strands of the central wire through the exposed portion ofthe radially outermost surface of the central wire.
 28. The bicyclecontrol cable according to claim 1, wherein the radial protrusion andthe central wire are attached to each other by thermal melting.